LAKELAND, Fla. – A dramatic pursuit unfolded in Lakeland on Thursday, January 9, 2025, as deputies apprehended a registered sex offender who attempted to evade law enforcement by jumping into Lake Bonnet.
The incident began around 2:46 PM near the 700-block of North Lorri Avenue, where deputies were searching for Curtis Novell Young, 53, wanted for failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements. Upon locating Young, a Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputy attempted to engage with him. Young responded by physically assaulting the deputy and managed to disarm them by ripping a firearm from its holster.
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Following the altercation, Young fled on foot and leaped into Lake Bonnet, attempting to evade capture by swimming and hiding among aquatic vegetation approximately 50-75 yards offshore.
The PCSO Air, Marine, and K9 Units quickly responded, establishing a perimeter around the lake to prevent his escape. Marine deputies located Young in the water and took him into custody at approximately 4:30 PM.
Young now faces additional charges stemming from the assault on the deputy and the foot pursuit. His extensive criminal history includes convictions for lewd and lascivious battery on a minor, battery, aggravated assault, kidnapping, fraud, grand theft, DUI, and prior failures to register as a sex offender.
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Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd expressed his appreciation for the deputies’ quick actions and issued a pointed remark about Young’s escape attempt.
“This violent and dangerous suspect wasn’t going to escape after assaulting my deputy,” Judd stated. “He was quickly apprehended, and my detectives will thoroughly investigate the incident to file all appropriate charges. Also, I don’t recommend jumping in a lake in this weather—even if you’re trying to run from law enforcement. You’ll just end up going to jail cold and wet.”
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